Search & Rescue Knots

Choose a knot below, or scroll down for more information:

Alpine Butterfly Loop - Secure loop in middle of a rope

Secure loop in the middle of a length of rope.

Bowline Knot - secure loop in the end of a piece of rope

Reasonably secure loop in a rope's end - and easy to undo.

Clove Hitch - Rope End Method - used for stage scenery or mooring buoy

Temporary hold, e.g., stage scenery or mooring buoy

Distel Hitch - ascending a climbing rope

Slide and Grip knot: takes strain in only one direction.

Double Fisherman's Bend Knot - joins two ropes

Securely joins two ropes of similar size.

Makes a reliable, moderately large, stopper knot.

Figure 8 Bend - for joining two climbing ropes

Secure, simple method for joining two ropes.

Figure 8 Directional Loop - Mid rope loop

Mid rope loop to take strain in one direction only.

Stable double loop in the middle of a piece of rope.

Figure 8 Follow Through Loop - tie to a carabiner or harness

Links to closed ring using rethreading technique

Non-binding, quick and convenient stopper knot.

Figure 9 Loop - secure loop using a rope bight

Makes a secure loop using a rope bight

Uses a webbing loop sling to attach item to harness.

Can be used as a rescue chair or animal restraint

Hasty Harness - Temporary lifting harness seat

Seat for emergency use made from webbing strap.

Symmetrical 3-turn slide and grip (friction) knot.

Purcell Prusik Loop Knot - Adjustable sling system

Adjustable sling system based on Prusik loops.

Radium Release Hitch Knot - Load-releasing hitch

Allows a load to be transferred from one rope to another

Spanish Bowline Knot - Search and Rescue work

Creates two loops for tying around legs in an emergency

Super Munter Hitch Knot - Climbing Knots

Secure method to control the descent of a heavy load.

Tensionless Hitch - Rescue work or Rappelling

Simple wrapping hitch used in rescue work or rappelling.

Water Knot - Joins two pieces of webbing strapping

Joins two pieces of webbing strapping by re-threading.

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Welcome to Search & Rescue Knots

Selection

This selection of knots was suggested by Greg Felton who requested a section devoted to Search & Rescue. We initially supposed that this selection would just be a subset of the climbing page. However, Greg introduced me to the Tensionless Hitch as well as the Emergency Webbing Harness and we decided that a section devoted to Search & Rescue would be appropriate.

The final selection of knots is based on consultation with, and advice from, people working in Search & Rescue.

Search & Rescue Knots

Emphasis

As with Climbing knots, the emphasis for SAR is on reliability and safety. It is also desirable that each knot can be untied reasonably easily.